AFC Liverpool v Cheadle, First Division Trophy Final, 27th April 2010

I found my way to the ground in Flixton in plenty of time to watch AFC make a second successive appearance in the North West Counties League First Division Trophy Final.  Having won this trophy a year earlier in our inaugural season, the Reds were bidding to become the first club to ever successfully defend the trophy.  It was a good job I took the earlier train to Flixton, as my internet directions had a few wrong turns which took me in an unnecessary circle.

Things did not start according to plan, as Cheadle took the lead against the run of play around the 10 minute mark, when a corner was headed home.  That early setback did not deflate us.  We continued to dominate the first half, as Andy McCoy went close and Karl Gornell hit the bar.  Remarkably, Cheadle could have gone 2-0 up before half time.  Thankfully, Willo in goal came to the rescue.

Two set piece headers from Andy Olsen turned things round after the break, and we were suddenly leading 2-1.  Although we were generally comfortable throughout the second half, Cheadle rather predictably piled on the pressure late on.  At one point a free header went astray.  The late pressure was not particularly comfortable viewing.

Thankfully we did hold on to make history.  It was a great sight to see Skipper Liam Coyne lift that trophy once again, and fellow supporter Steve Fraser throw his red scarf to Manager Paul Moore as the celebrations started.  Things had not been looking good for the club when Mooresy took over from Derek Goulding three weeks earlier.  But this win had most definitely restored a feel good factor which had been missing for sometime.

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